November 7, 2006I WOULD like to voice support for a permanent tribute / memorial to the Russian submarine crew of K-219 and in particular the courageous Captain Britanov, the young man who died shooting down the nuclear reactor, Sergei Preminum, the three other crewmen who died from the accident and any others who have since died as a result of their exposure to the deadly radiation during those fateful days just several hundred miles north of Bermuda in October 1986.Experts have said that Bermuda and its population [us who are still alive and you who have since been born] would probably have not survived the explosion. That the radioactive fallout would have killed whoever survived the firestorms and massive tidal waves.

One thing is certain: Bermuda would not have been habitable today. The blast and radioactive fallout would have also affected much of the east coast of North America and probably a good portion of the globe, if young Sergei Preminim had failed to shut down the damaged nuclear reactor.

On board K-219 there were two nuclear reactors and 32 megatons of destructive capability sitting on top of 16 missiles. It is anticipated that a meltdown would have caused an explosion 2|0xbd| million times more powerful than the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in Japan during World War Two. Such an explosion would have changed the world forever!

This was the second time that Bermuda dodged a nuclear bullet! The first time was during the Cuban missile crisis. The potential warring factions of the USSR and the USA played chicken just off Bermuda and fortunately the Russians backed off from pushing the buttons.

About five or so years ago editor Tim Hodgson wrote a compelling article in the Mid-Ocean News about the K-219 incident and the idea then was floated about a memorial.

As the Mid-Ocean News article quickly left readers minds for more mundane things I wrote to the Bermuda Maritime Museum to see if they would be interested in having such memorial there at no cost to the museum.

As a wartime museum it was obviously thought to be the perfect place as it could have become an added attraction, a symbol of goodwill and be noted in our history that Bermuda had officially taken a public stand in the condemnation of nuclear arms proliferation.

It was hoped that they would find an adequate spot for a small memorial and to set aside a room to tell the story of K-219 and other stores of nuclear wartime disasters, particularly those in our Atlantic area. Unfortunately the offer was declined and after writing to other major venues for such a memorial without any response we put the project aside as the time as not obviously right. It was not politically correct to honour Russians!

Timing is everything. Today, the Cold War that lasted some 50 years is but a memory and the political changes in Russia since the Berlin Wall came down have also slowly changed people's perspectives. A web site to get a reaction to the K-219 incident, currently established locally, indicates that over 600 local residents have taken time to read the stories and have come to really appreciate the true heroism of the captain and crew and in particular the young man, Sergei Preminin, who sacrificed his life for his captain and his crew members.

Today there are people now interested in a memorial to celebrate the 20th anniversary of what could have been a wartime Chernobyl. In fact, we are not too sure that such a situation is not going on under the sea at this moment despite the eminent positive thoughts of scientists at BBSR and our former UBP Government leaders of the day that the sinking would not be a problem!

Experts, on the other hand, indicate that salt water penetration through the steel of the missile warheads and reactors will eventually take place releasing deadly radioactivity into the deep waters of the Atlantic for thousands of years. With two reactors and 32 warheads one wonders just how safe Bermuda really is. Has the Chernobyl effect begun already? Probably!

Nuclear scientists indicate that such nuclear waste should be salvaged and properly buried in concrete tombs deep below ground. At the depth that the wreckage is lying salvage would be almost impossible, extremely hazardous and extremely expensive.

At the very least the wreckage area should be monitored on a regular basis to determine what the true radioactive situation is. It is a politically irresponsible act to simply ignore the facts and the potential dangers such radioactivity could have to Bermuda and the coastline populations surrounding the Atlantic over the long term.

As a people that could have been annihilated in an instant, just 20 years ago, we have a lot to be thankful for. Just look around at our beautiful island home. Gaze at the dazzling crystal clear water and breathtaking sunsets. Watch your children and grandchildren play. Don't we all owe our last 20 years to a young Russian man who gave his life for this friends and by extension, to Bermuda and probably, mankind? The very least we can do, Bermuda, is to acknowledge the sacrifice and the courage of the K-219 captain and crew that saved our lives in some permanent form.

The sinking is as much a part of our history as that of the Sea Venture striking our reef bringing life to this island. Sir George's heart is said to be buried near his memorial in St. George.

As the closest land to where young Sergei Preminin's heart lies we should also honour him for saving our lives with his memorial.

As an act of goodwill the remaining members of the Russian crew should be flown to Bermuda to be on hand for its unveiling. It's time to say, "Thank you', Bermuda . . . we are 20 years late!

GEOFF PARKER, SR.

Warwick West

Time for New UBP!November 10, 2006I FIND it incredible that the PLP Government has now spent $1.5 million (or probably more knowing them) of our money on an Estate Master Plan for the new hospital and is now telling us that all plans are being reviewed to determine what needs will be met by this new hospital that is so essential and must be built immediately.Why was the Government not in talks with the appropriate people at the beginning of their Master Plan? Kind of putting the cart before the horse isn't it?

Just like Shadow Minister Louise Jackson has said, first we need a new hospital immediately, and then all of the plans are being reviewed. That's just a nice way of saying it has to be scrapped and I know why.

It's because the PLP Government had too much opposition with their so-called 'plan'. They think they can shove things down our throats. I also hear people like Philip Butterfield stressing that a new hospital is needed immediately and that we should lie back and give way to what has to be.

No sir, we will not lie back and give way to this Government when it is dead wrong. Can't they get things right from the beginning before all of our money goes down the toilet?

It makes me laugh that in eight years of Government we have now received our third Premier. I wonder if Dr. Brown will finally give the people what his Government has promised the people.

I wonder how many times we are going to be told that there is a new beginning and change must happen. Excuse me but haven't we heard that several times before? How many times are we going to have to listen to this nonsense before something really gets done?

We have a lot of problems in this tiny speck of an island, so many problems that I'm sure the UBP could tackle them with strategic plans and implementations of it. This Government is simply taking its time and their time is just about running out.

I believe that any major decision that affects our community should be put before the people first. I do not have faith in the PLP Government to make the right decision for Bermuda.

I would like to see honesty, fairness and accountability for our community, things which, in my opinion, will only begin when the New UBP becomes our Government.

M. DUBOIS

Pembroke

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